Brake apparatus



April 23, 1940. 1 A 2.198.522

BRAKE APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Joe J. ADAM,

A tiorneys Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in hydraulic brakes such as are commonly used on motor vehicles.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic brake system wherein a safety factor is involved which will prevent the entire system from becoming inoperative when one brake line becomes defective.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a brake system of the character stated wherein the parts are readily accessible for the purpose of repair or replacement.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view disclosing the various elements of the system.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the equalizer.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the equalizer.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the equalizer.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 1, that numerals 5, 6, and 8 represent the four brakes of a four-wheeled vehicle, while the lines 39 9, III, II and I! extend from the novel equalizer generally referred to by numeral |3 to these brakes, respectively.

Numeral |4 generally refers to the master cylinder which is operated by the usual brake pedal 5.

The improved safety equalizer consists of the block |6 which is bored longitudinally to form a plurality of cylinders ll in each of which is operative a piston assembly l8 consisting of the two piston heads |92ll connected to operate as a unit by the connector 2|. This connector 2| has a longitudinally extending slot 22 therein through which projects the stop pin 23. Each of these stop pins 23 has a threaded end portion 24 terminating in a wrench engageable head 25, this threaded portion 24 being threadedly disposed into the block I6 as shown in Figure 5. Thus the extent of movement of the piston unit I8 is limited.

In each of the cylinders l1 and cooperative with the corresponding piston unit I8 is an adjustable piston 26. The pistons I9 and 25 as well as the piston 20 carry packing elements 21.

One end of the block l6 has the head 28 secured thereto by a bolt 28 and between this head 28 and the block I5 is a gasket 30.

Threadedly disposed into each cylinder l'l at the opposite end of the block I6 is a threaded plug 3| through which is threadedly disposed a screw shaft 32, the same having a head 33 at its outer end while its inner end is swivelly connected as at 34 to the corresponding piston 28.

The lines 9, II), II and I2 communicate with the chambers 34, 35, 36 and 31, respectively, by 10 way of the ports 38. Filler plugs 39 are provided in the top of the cylinder block l6, one for each of the chambers 34, 35, 38 and 31.

A conduit 45 extends from the master cylinder l4 and is threadedly disposed in the threaded opening 4| of the head 28. This threaded opening 4| opens into the small chamber 42 from which ducts 43, 44, 45 and 46 extend to the corresponding cylinders Obviously, the fluid of the master cylinder I4 39 operates against the piston unit l8 when the pedal I5 is depressed and these units l8 operate against the fluid in the lines 9, II), II and I2, and the corresponding chambers 34, 35, 36 and 31.

Obviously, when a leak occurs in any one of 25 the lines 9, II), II and I2 only that particular line and its brake will be out of service.

Compensation for brake band wear or loss of oil in any one of the wheel brakes can be accomplished by manipulating the corresponding screw 32 to regulate the position of the corresponding piston 26 in the cylinder ll. Any loss of oil can be replaced by way of theopenings normally closed by the filler plugs 39. a

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without de parting from the spirit and scope of the inven- 40 tion as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a brake system, brake lines, a master cylinder, means for operating the master cylinder, 45 an equalizer to which the lines connect, a conduit between the master cylinder and the equalizer, said equalizer consisting of a cylinder for each of the lines and a piston operative in each of the cylinders, and an adjustable piston in each 50 of the cylinders cooperative with the first-mentioned piston and defining a chamber between the same into which the corresponding brake line communicates, each of the first-mentioned pistons consisting of a pair of piston heads, a conll nector between the piston heads and stop means,

for the piston heads.

2. In a brake system, brake lines, a master cylinder, means for operating the master cylinder, an equalizer to which the lines connect, a. conduit between the master cylinder and the equalizer, said equalizer consisting of a cylinder for each of the lines and a. piston operative in each of the cylinders, and an adjustable piston in each of the cylinders, cooperative with the first-mentioned piston and defining'a chamber between the same into which the corresponding. brake line communicates, each of the first-mentioned pistons consisting of a pair of piston heads, a connector between the piston heads and stop means for the piston heads, said stop means consisting in providing the connector of each of the first-mentioned piston with a longitudinal slot and a pin disposed into the equalizer and through the corresponding slot.

slot in: the connector.

3. In a brake system, brake lines, a master cylinder, means for operating the master cylinder, an equalizer to which the lines connect, a conduit between the master cylinder and the equalizer, said equalizer consisting of a cylinder for each of the lines and a piston operative in each of the cylinders, an adjustable piston in each of the cylinders cooperative with the first-mentioned piston and defining a chamber between the same to which the corresponding brake line communicates, each of the first-mentioned pistons consisting of a pair of piston heads, a connector between the piston heads, said connector being formed with a logitudinal slot, a stop for the 'connector, said stop comprising a threaded plug disposed into the side of the equalizer and provided with a smooth pin extending from the inner end thereof and projecting through the 'JoE J. ADAM. 

